❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Minister regarding insurance coverage for volunteer marine rescue groups, specifically those not FESA-approved. The Minister denies FESA is refusing to work with these groups and emphasizes accountability measures.
AnsweredQoN 598Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to her statement on 16 April 2002 regarding the provision of insurance for volunteer marine rescue groups, in which she assured the House that volunteer sea rescue groups would not need to be approved by FESA and said - I provide the further assurance to all members of the House and people in those community groups that FESA will continue to insure both the approved and non-approved VMRS groups. (1) Is the minister aware that the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA has advised the Fremantle, Cockburn and Whitfords sea rescue groups, which are not FESA-approved groups and which between them carry out 65 per cent of all marine rescues in the State, that unless they are approved by FESA, the Government will no longer insure them after 18 October this year? (2) Is the minister aware that these groups yesterday advised me that FESA is refusing to work with them to develop service level agreements, which were promised by the minister as a means for non-approved groups to receive insurance? (3) Will the minister now concede that unless she delivers on her promise, volunteers in these vitally important groups will be forced to function without any insurance, thereby severely compromising boating safety in the coming summer? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
(1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(2) Is the minister aware that these groups yesterday advised me that FESA is refusing to work with them to develop service level agreements, which were promised by the minister as a means for non-approved groups to receive insurance? (3) Will the minister now concede that unless she delivers on her promise, volunteers in these vitally important groups will be forced to function without any insurance, thereby severely compromising boating safety in the coming summer? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(3) Will the minister now concede that unless she delivers on her promise, volunteers in these vitally important groups will be forced to function without any insurance, thereby severely compromising boating safety in the coming summer? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(2) Is the minister aware that these groups yesterday advised me that FESA is refusing to work with them to develop service level agreements, which were promised by the minister as a means for non-approved groups to receive insurance? (3) Will the minister now concede that unless she delivers on her promise, volunteers in these vitally important groups will be forced to function without any insurance, thereby severely compromising boating safety in the coming summer? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(3) Will the minister now concede that unless she delivers on her promise, volunteers in these vitally important groups will be forced to function without any insurance, thereby severely compromising boating safety in the coming summer? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(1) Yes. (2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(2) No. (3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
(3) No. The fact of the matter is that 33 of 36 groups have been accredited under the legislation. Two years ago when I put the legislation through, we volunteered to enter into service level agreements with those that did not want to be covered under the legislation. Over the past two years, FESA has endeavoured to do that with those groups. I believe Rockingham was outside the parameters for some time. Some time ago it came under the parameters of the legislation. Three groups are operating outside the legislation. FESA has made a concerted attempt over the past nine months to try to work with those three groups, and negotiations are continuing currently to see whether we can put a service level agreement in place. Under the legislation that I put through, for the first time we protected volunteer marine search and rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers by legislation - something that the people opposite had never done. The State Emergency Service had been waiting for that legislation for more than 20 years. That was a magnificent step forward for both the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and the SES. Thirty-three groups throughout the State have certainly welcomed the legislation and are under its umbrella. This is simply a matter of accountability. For FESA to continue to provide those groups with funding and organise insurance to cover them, there must be a level of accountability. Either they must come under the legislation or they need to enter into a service level agreement. The fact of the matter is that FESA is very keen to assist them with that.
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